A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle—the book that introduced Sherlock Holmes to the world. Available as a mobi download from our library.

From Wikipedia:

The story begins in 1881, where Dr. Watson runs into an old friend, Stamford. Due to a leg injury sustained in the Anglo-Afghan War, Watson was forced to retire and is now looking for a place to live. Stamford mentions that an acquaintance of his, one Sherlock Holmes, is looking for someone to split the rent at a flat at 221B, Baker Street, but cautions about Holmes' eccentricities.

Stamford takes Watson to the local hospital's lab where they find Holmes experimenting with a reagent for haemoglobin detection. Holmes explains its significance in convicting criminals based on bloodstains. Then, upon shaking Watson's hand, deduces that the Dr. has seen military action but waves off the question of how he knows. Watson broaches the subject of their mutual flat-mate search. At Holmes' prompting, the two review their various shortcomings to make sure that they can accept living together.

After seeing the rooms at 221B, they move in and grow accustomed to their new situation.

Watson is amazed by Holmes, who has profound knowledge of chemistry and sensational literature, very precise but narrow knowledge of geology and botany; yet knows little about literature, astronomy, philosophy, and politics. Holmes also has multiple guests visiting him at different intervals during the day.

Quote:

"There’s the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it."
— A Study in Scarlet Chapter 4: "What John Rance Had to Tell"

ANIMAL FARM is a short novel that can be read in a single two-hour sitting. The name seems to imply a children's novel, indeed the words are simple enough, but the satire is thick on every page. This novel is a companion to Orwell's equally famous novel, NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR. Both are essential reading.

Absolutely essential.

Animal Farm is the most famous satirical allegory of Soviet totalitarianism. Published in 1945, the book reflects events leading up to and during the Stalin era. Orwell, a democratic socialist, and a member of the Independent Labour Party for many years, was a critic of Joseph Stalin, and was suspicious of Moscow-directed Stalinism after his experiences with the NKVD during the Spanish Civil War.

The book was chosen by Time Magazine as one of the 100 best English language novels (1923 to 2005) and was number 31 on the Modern Library List of Best 20th Century Novels.

The novel describes how a society's ideologies can be manipulated and twisted by individuals in positions of social and political power, including how a utopian society is made impossible by the corrupting nature of the very power necessary to create it.

I think I may sit on the sidelines for April. I'm already reading a Dostoyevsky doorstopper for April as part of my Russian literature book club and that's going to take all my time. I'm not prepared to inflict that on everyone.

For what it's worth, A Study in Scarlet would get my support as would The Age of Innocence, The Scarlet Letter and A High Wind in Jamaica.

I wish the Classic month was a different month now because there's already good stuff there and I'm sure there will be more by the end of the nomination process.

The original itself is in the public domain, but unfortunately I can't say anything about translation, availability and legal state in English. So, if it would not be possible for you to get this book, please ignore this nomination.

The original itself is in the public domain, but unfortunately I can't say anything about translation, availability and legal state in English. So, if it would not be possible for you to get this book, please ignore this nomination.